Experiments were performed to explore the hysteretic performance of steel reinforced concrete (SRC) cross-shaped columns. Nine specimens were designed and tested under the combined action of compression, flexure, shear and torsion. Torsion-bending ratio (i.e., 0, 0.14, 0.21) and steel forms (i.e., Solid - web steel, T - shaped steel, Channel steel) were considered in the test. Both failure processes and modes were obtained during the whole loading procedure. Based on experimental data, seismic indexes, such as bearing capacity, ductility and energy dissipation were investigated in detail. Experimental results suggest that depending on the torsion-bending ratio, failure modes of SRC cross-shaped columns are bending failure, flexure-torsion failure and torsion-shear failure. Shear - displacement hysteretic loops are fuller than torque - twist angle hysteretic curves. SRC cross-shaped columns exhibit good ductility and deformation capacity. In the range of test parameters, the existence of torque does not reduce the shear force but it reduces the displacement and bending energy dissipation capacity.What is more, the bending energy dissipation capacity increases with the rising of displacement level, while the torsion energy dissipation capacity decreases.